October Surprise?

2nd Corinthians 4 encourages us to follow the light of God's truth and His presence when we encounter the trials of life, when surprises come that could knock us off course in our spiritual walk:
6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed-- 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.

God will be exalted in our trials - we can know His grace and power in the midst of suffering.   If our lives are built on the firm foundation of His truth, we can stand strong in Christ, trusting Him, even when we may not understand what is going on, when trouble seemingly gathers around us.   He is the One who offers peace to us, our companion who will make Himself known, even in the midst of our trials.

The Bible directs us to rejoice in hope, even in the midst of trials that may surprise us.   Here's what 1st Peter says:
6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,


I guess it happens every 4 years about this time - there are media speculations about what sort of "October Surprise" might take place.  That concept involves some revelation that could affect the Presidential campaign.  Wikipedia says that term was first coined back in the 1972 campaign when Henry Kissinger announced that "we believe peace is at hand" regarding Vietnam.   There was concern during the 1980 campaign that President Carter would announce the release of the hostages in Iran.  The 1992 campaign between Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush featured revelations the weekend before the election about a Reagan Cabinet member's alleged involvement in Iran-Contra.   And, there was a revelation about George W. Bush's past behavior brought to light in the 2000 campaign.  A 2004 tape by Osama bin Laden was thought by some to damage John Kerry. 

And, now the speculation has swirled about what this year's "October Surprise" might be.   Last week, there was Donald Trump's offer to donate $5 million to charity in exchange for Mr. Obama releasing his college transcripts and other material.   High-profile attorney Gloria Allred was touting Mr. Romney's testimony in a divorce case of a former associate.   There are some that say that the mounting information in the Benghazi attack could prove damaging to the President.  

But, this year's "October Surprise" might well be a super-storm, the potential combination of a hurricane combining with a winter storm to create what has been described as a "Frankenstorm".   And, I do encourage you to pray for those across a large section of the East Coast, who could experience high winds and storm surge as the result of Hurricane Sandy.    New York City, Washington, DC, and other large metropolitan areas are taking the necessary precautions, and extensive power outages and widespread damage are expected with this "life-threatening" storm.   Those are the important, human implications.

And, there are the political implications, too.   The Presidential candidates have already adjusted their travel plans.   Proponents of early voting are concerned that this may affect this element of the election.    And, with Mr. Obama returning to the nation's capital to monitor storm developments, it gives him an opportunity to demonstrate Presidential actions.  

Surprises come into our lives - physical storms can come with some advance notice, and the population along the Eastern Seaboard is being warned, and many are taking the necessary precautions.   It's important that we take action when threats come.

But, some threats come without notice, and it is in those times that we are prepared, too - as we live our lives, growing in the Lord, we must have our lives built on a firm foundation, on strong spiritual principles, so that when the surprises come - and they will - we will be anchored in the rock of ages and be able to access and activate godly wisdom.   If we are spiritually prepared, whether or not we know if the storm is coming, then we can experience the hand of God when the tough times occur, and give Him praise throughout.